Presidents' Day Activities, Grades 9-12
Presidents' Day Is February 18, 2013
On this Presidents Day, celebrate the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, their contributions to the United States, and the lives and contributions of all our 44 Presidents.
Lesson Plans
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858: Interactive Map Activity
Students in grades 6-12 use an interactive map to explore the 1858 Senate campaign in Illinois and how population, transportation, and party strongholds affect campaign strategies.
The Anti-Slavery Movement
Students in grades 6-12 write a constitution for an anti-slavery society.
Looking for Lincoln During the Civil War
Students in grades 9-12 explore the challenges Lincoln faced during the Civil War that made him America’s greatest but most controversial wartime leader.
Lincoln Goes to War
Students in grades 9-12 investigate Lincoln's actions during the Secession Crisis of 1861 and evaluate to what extent they were calculated to provoke conflict.
George Washington: The Living Symbol
Students in grades 9-12 examine the life and legend of George Washington.
George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen
Students in grades 9-12 analyze how President Washington responded to national issues. This is a three part lesson and also addresses his role in the French and Indians War and at the Federal Convention.
Rediscovering George Washington. Classroom: The Constitution and the Idea of Compromise
Students in grades 9-12 investigate the compromises made by George Washington and the Founders at the Constitutional Convention.
More Lessons, Activities & Background Resources
George Washington: A National Treasure
Explore the life and Presidency of George Washington through this online exhibit from the National Portrait Gallery. Find puzzles, quizzes and fun historical features to learn about the life and times of George Washington.
Presidents Day
Is it Presidents or President’s or Presidents’ Day? Is it an official holiday?
- Teacher Guide: George Washington: A National Treasure
- Family Guide: George Washington: A National Treasure
- Meet George Washington - includes a timeline and biography
- Lincoln/Net: Lesson Plans - 15 lessons
- Abraham Lincoln Historical Digitization Project - history, songs, and writings
- The Time of the Lincolns: Teacher’s Guide
Activities
- Looking for Lincoln - collection of interactive maps
Games & Quizzes
Games
Interactive Timeline: Lincoln over Time
Place events and images from the life of Abraham Lincoln in chronological order.
Abraham Lincoln’s Crossroads
Advanced middle- and high-school students explore Lincoln’s political choices. An animated Lincoln introduces a situation, asks for advice, and prompts players to decide the issue for themselves, before revealing the actual outcome. At game’s end, players discover how frequently they predicted Lincoln’s actions. A Resources Page provides links to relevant Websites, permitting students to explore issues in depth.
Quizzes
Quiz: Lincoln Myths and Misconceptions
Answer all 15 questions and submit for a grade.
- Presidents' Day Quiz for Beginners
- Presidents' Day Quiz for Experts
- Presidents’ Day Quiz
- Presidential Bloopers, Blunders, and Scandals
- Positively Presidential
- Presidential True/False - 7 question quiz
- Best Presidents of the 20th Century - Vote for the best Poll
- Presidential Pets - 20 question quiz
- First Kids
Video & Audio
Video
Presidents Day Video
11 videos about selected Presidents from History.com
American Experience: The Presidents
Complete documentaries of seven Presidents can be watched online.
Lincoln’s Legend and Legacy (60 minutes)
3-part online video, transcript, readings.
Looking for Lincoln
Online video in chapters, plus 9 other clips. Teachers should preview, as language has been questioned.
American Experience: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Watch online. Approximately 90 minutes.
Audio
last updated January 28, 2013
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